Technician Makes Headlines, Whittles Down Bucket List

Departments - RearView

Publicity photo of Pavel Fesyuk, a service technician and American Ninja Warrior contestant.

Pavel Fesyuk tends to kill things for a living — he works as a service technician at Town and Country Pest Solutions in Rochester, N.Y., dealing with a multitude of pests throughout the day. But it was an interaction between jobs that made him say to his boss, “Hey, I don’t kill everything I come across.”

Fesyuk was driving his route when he saw a man on the side of the road who appeared to be choking. He pulled over, and the man motioned for Fesyuk to slap him on the back. When that didn’t work, he performed the Heimlich maneuver. Whatever was blocking the man’s throat was gone, and without exchanging names or a “thank you,” the two men departed.

Fesyuk didn’t think much of the incident. He had been recording with a dashboard camera, and sent the footage to his boss, Town and Country Operation Manager Caleb Fabry, who sent the footage to various news outlets. What followed was an intense period in the media spotlight as news organizations from seemingly everywhere wanted to talk to him about his experience. But Fesyuk was nothing if not humble about the event, and was surprised that it received so much attention.

“If you don’t have 30 seconds to help someone, then obviously your schedule is a little too tight,” Fesyuk said.

Fabry said the nonchalant attitude Fesyuk displayed after potentially saving a man’s life was a solid encapsulation of his character — someone who does so many out-of-the-ordinary feats that he doesn’t think twice about it. “It was so strange,” Fabry said. “Pavel is a man of very few words, in general. To him, he came, he saw the job in front of him and he left.”

But it wasn’t Fesyuk’s first time on TV — he spent two years as a contestant on American Ninja Warrior (ANW), an athletic obstacle course-based TV show. After he wasn’t invited back for a third season, he began searching for other pursuits. Up next was mixed martial arts (MMA). Fabry recalled how Fesyuk’s support team — including friends, coworkers and family members — sat ringside to cheer him on at his first and only MMA match where “he pretty much demolished the other person in less than a minute,” he said.

The idea of being a participant on American Ninja Warrior began as just a goal on Fesyuk’s bucket list. “I watched the show for a few years with some friends of mine,” he said. “And we always said it would be cool to be on it.”

While browsing Facebook, Fesyuk came across an application to try out for season six of American Ninja Warrior in 2014. He began to fill it out until he was discouraged by the fact that he was required to make a video. That changed when he saw a friend had made a video in a fairly simple way. “I had my brother put a few clips on there — my personality, what I kind of do in (my spare time) — and just sent it in,” Fesyuk said. “I never expected to get a call back from them saying that I was selected for the show. I guess they kind of really liked the hands-on pest control, wildlife portion of what we (at Town and Country) do.” (Download the video.)

Not too long after, he received a call. “A lot of my friends don’t answer phone numbers that they don’t recognize, and I always do,” Fesyuk said. “So I kind of use that as an example now. I was randomly driving in the car and I saw a California area code. I answered it and he said, ‘Hey this is so-and-so, guess what you’ve been selected.’ I put it on speaker and everyone in the car kind of freaked out.”

Once he arrived on the set in St. Louis, he realized the show is “totally different than what you expect — there’s a lot of show biz stuff.” In order to control the lighting and background, the producers record the show at night. “You’re up all night — 10 p.m. to sunrise,” he recalled.

Fesyuk didn’t make it past the first round during season six, but he was more successful the next year (season seven) in Pittsburgh, where he was selected to move on to the national competition held in Las Vegas. He was eliminated in the national round, and since he didn’t come back for a third season, decided to move on to MMA fighting — another item on his bucket list.

This year, however, he said his goals are a little closer to home — he plans to build a treehouse for his two children, Dominic and Katya. “My wife said, ‘How about no challenges this year?’” — Sean Wolfe

Products

Departments - Products

J.F. Oakeswww.jfoakes.com J.F. Oakes introduces aromatic Pro-Pest Very Berry Wildlife Lure for raccoons, skunks and woodchucks. Made with all food-grade ingredients, Pro-Pest Very Berry Wildlife Lure is a multi-animal lure that wildlife pests find both enticing and tantalizing, J.F. Oakes reports. It comes in 4- and 8-ounce wide-mouth jars. The product is in stock and ready to ship.

Pest Boys

Pest Boys announces the release of the firm’s Patent Pending “Termiticide Flex Plug System and Method” T Handle tool. This optional part should be used as an added safety feature from pesticide exposure, the company says. Now technicians can more quickly countersink each termite plug to an adjustable depth setting that he/she chooses. The new tool also will work to countersink other types of plugs used in the industry.

Pest Boys previously announced a special offer for free sample packages along with free shipping to PCOs anywhere in the United States. Check with your local distributor or log onto the www.polyplug.com website for a complete list of vendors. Poly Plugs are available for drill holes of 3/8, ½, 9/16 and 5/8 inches.

WorkWave

WorkWave, a provider of cloud-based software solutions for the pest management industry, announced that it has achieved PCI certification through leading security and compliance company, Trustwave Holdings. The certification validates that WorkWave has implemented and performed policies, procedures and technical systems in compliance with PCI DSS requirements for credit card processing, the firm says. “While our solutions have been PCI compliant for years, we wanted to take it to the next level for our clients. We invested heavily to enhance our organizational processes, policies and procedures to further strengthen our security posture. As a result of these investments, WorkWave has become one of the first PCI certified companies in our industry,” said Chris Sullens, president and CEO of WorkWave. “This effort provides a unique advantage for our clients, and complements other recent certifications we have achieved for privacy and data security, such as the EU-U.S. Privacy Shield.”

Zoëcon

The Zoëcon Professional Products division of Central Life Sciences recently launched the Zoëcon Field Guide App, a free, mobile-optimized web-based app designed to help pest management professionals quickly and easily identify the best products and protocols for an infestation problem. Accessible at ZoeconFieldGuide.com, the app offers product recommendations based on use site or target pest, and it provides application tips, including potential tank-mix partners and a dilution calculator. The collection of features available through the Zoëcon Field Guide App includes: product selection tool allowing users to search for specific products by name or recommendations based on application site or target insect; detailed information on more than 50 Zoëcon products, including features, pests controlled, approved application sites, educational materials and videos, and access to all SDS and specimen labels; suggested complementary products to pair with a selected product, or alternative options available for use; dilution calculators delivering exact mix rates based on the square footage of the application site; and personalized “Preferences” page allowing users to store product information and their respective dilution rates, sorted by name and date to create an organized log. The Zoëcon Field Guide App is live at ZoeconFieldGuide.com, and visitors are encouraged to save the site to their mobile device home screens for quick, easy access, the firm says.

SenesTech

SenesTech announced that the city of Chicago is beginning a new pilot program for controlling rodent populations utilizing ContraPest, SenesTech’s product for managing rodent infestations through fertility control. ContraPest’s novel technology and approach targets the reproductive capabilities of both sexes, inducing egg loss in female rodents and impairing sperm development in males, the firm says. Using proprietary bait stations, ContraPest is dispensed in a highly palatable liquid formulation that promotes sustained consumption by rodent communities, SenesTech reports. ContraPest is designed, formulated and dispensed to be safe for handlers and non-target species such as wildlife, livestock and pets, in a biodegradable product, the company adds.

B&G Equipment Co.

B&G Equipment Co. recently announced that its corporate website has been completely redesigned with new graphics and functionality. The updated site, www.bgequip.com, features the extensive line of professional application equipment manufactured by B&G.

A section of the website designed exclusively for pest management professionals has product information, user manuals and how-to videos with narratives by Technical Director Dr. William H. Robinson. The landing page has a “What’s New” and “What’s Hot” panel to alert PMPs about new and trending application equipment.

For mobile users, the site has improved navigation and is mobile phone- and tablet-friendly.

Kness

Kness has launched a corporate rebranding initiative focusing on the quality of Kness’ pest control products and its exclusive production process, the firm says.

The Albia, Iowa-based manufacturer recently revealed its new brand and positioning — Kness Pest Defense, “Your Best Defense” — to its sales team and customers following an internal brand launch with employees. Kness leaders highlighted that every team member is an important part of the firm’s dedication to customers, playing a critical role in meeting and exceeding the company’s quality standards. All Kness products are hand-tested before being packaged, and this quality is reflected in the company’s less than 1 percent return rate, Kness reports.

Since its inception in 1924, Kness remains a family-owned company and has proudly produced USA-made products. “Family, that is what we are,” says President Kathy Wauson. “We are a very close-knit team and we’re proud to do what we do. Our employees are an integral part of our success, and our company rebrand initiative.” Kness’ comprehensive marketing effort touches all aspects of the brand including a new company logo, responsive website, product collateral, apparel, internal and external communications, and signage. Additional developments are planned for the near future.

Kness customers and reps are also a large focus of the company’s efforts, as online resources are being elevated and ongoing communications strengthened.

Key 7 Software

Key 7 Software has completed its first data conversion for the Sentricon System Web Services Portal for Southeastern Exterminating. This conversion will mark the release of Dow AgroSciences’ simple and seamless Sentricon Web Services portal within 7 Software.

Key 7 Software’s partnership with Dow AgroSciences allows Certified Sentricon Specialists to easily manage sites and submit renewals with just one log-in, the firm says. The alliance partnership with Dow AgroSciences was announced at NPMA PestWorld 2016.

This partnership will position Key 7 Software to serve Dow AgroSciences’ Certified Sentricon Specialists. “Many of the finest pest management firms in the country are Certified Sentricon Specialists. This partnership allows us to offer these companies an alternative solution with a unique approach to service,” says Key 7 President Steven Splawn.

Innolytics

Innolytics initiated and has now received a registration for OvoControl P in Canada. Applicators in Canada are now able to order and use the contraceptive for pigeons.

“We continue to receive a steady stream of inquiries from our neighbors to the north,” said Erick Wolf, CEO of Innolytics, manufacturer of OvoControl P. “Consistent with the U.S. market, impacted facilities want access to the ‘birth control’ program for pigeons. We can now supply the market in Canada with a product registered by the Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA), Health Canada (Pest Control Product Reg. No. 32670).”

Gardex Chemicals in Etobicoke, Ontario, has been named the master distributor and will represent OvoControl P in Canada. OvoControl P is a ready-to-use bait, dispensed on flat rooftops with a mechanical feeder. This effective and humane technology is especially useful for managing pigeon flocks in larger facilities without having to resort to poisons or labor-intensive trapping programs, Innolytics says.

A.R.E. Accessories

A.R.E. Accessories introduced the DCU Max commercial cap for harsh work conditions. The DCU Max truck cap is a line extension of A.R.E.’s commercial cap, which features a .063-thick aluminum skin for added durability. A.R.E.’s DCU Max has a smooth, white exterior that can be painted to match OEM paint colors or custom fleet finishes. An OE-quality finish can be applied during production at A.R.E.’s Ohio paint facility, using an environmentally friendly, water-based paint system. Structural support for the DCU Max is provided by a .080 thick fully-welded aluminum frame that stands up to heavy equipment and rough terrain.

The DCU Max and other caps in the series are backed by a three-year warranty on materials and workmanship.

Three Common Social Media Myths

Columns - PPMA Pulse

Your company has a handful of social media pages because Instagram and Snapchat are trendy right now. You started spending more time managing those pages, so the company website hasn’t been touched in months. And while you’re busy with regular company business, a new post gets published once or twice a week on at least one social media platform, so that counts as meaningful engagement, right?

There are 2.8 billion active social media users worldwide, according to Tracx’s 2017 State of Social Infographic, and platforms are becoming even more business-friendly, making social media an easier and more important vehicle in the marketing mix. But, as you develop and fine-tune your social media strategy, be wary of some common social media pitfalls.

If any of these myths are stuck in your mind when it comes to social media marketing, consider them debunked:

Myth 1: My business needs to establish a presence on every available platform. As the social media space continues to evolve at a rapid pace, new platforms are surfacing left and right. Although it may be tempting to sign your company up for every platform you come across, you may quickly find that you are spreading yourself too thin. Before you register your firm for yet another social networking site or mobile app, consider your bandwidth and ask yourself, “Do I really have the manpower to actively manage all of these communities?” Most likely, the realistic answer is no.

Instead, research and focus your efforts on one or two social media platforms that will effectively deliver your message to the people who are most likely to make a purchase. Take Snapchat, for example, which is considered by many as the hottest mobile messaging app. On the surface, Snapchat may seem like a logical fit for your business given its continued rise in popularity, but after digging into the platform’s demographics, you may think otherwise.

According to data from the Statistics Portal, 60 percent of Snapchat users are under the age of 25, while 23 percent have not yet graduated from high school. If your ultimate goal is to get people to purchase a pest control service, this may not be the right social media demographic to target. Facebook, on the other hand, skews a bit older and allows for greater engagement, which may give you a better chance to hit your objectives.

And, let’s not forget about your company website. While social media platforms serve as additional online hubs of content for customers to view, your website is likely the first place your customer visits. It’s important to keep your website up-to-date and credible in conjunction with your social media properties.

Myth 2: My company needs a large social media following to be successful. The days of measuring a company’s social media success based on its number of fans or followers is long gone. Engagement is much more important than “likes.” Just because someone follows you doesn’t mean they have an immediate need for a pest control service. Look at more meaningful metrics to measure success, such as referral traffic to your website and click-through rate.

You also should pay attention to how frequently your followers interact with your content, as it is worth much more to have 200 active and dedicated fans on Facebook than 1,000 followers who go radio silent and don’t engage with your posts. Consider developing a posting schedule to ensure your page is being populated with fresh content for your followers on a regular basis. A good rule of thumb is to post once a day on Facebook and Instagram, and no more than five times a day on Twitter. Also, mix up the type of content being shared so that it keeps followers engaged. For example, if you post one day about tips for preventing termite infestations, link to a relevant news article about bed bugs the next day.

You can even take your posting strategy a step further by testing out some social media advertising features, such as boosting a post on Facebook or promoting a Tweet. Just because you have 200 active fans doesn’t mean every single one of them sees the posts you publish on your newsfeed. In fact, organic reach has been on the decline since 2013, and platforms are now forcing brands to reach their audience through advertising in conjunction with their organic efforts. Try boosting one of your Facebook posts with a $20 or $50 spend and see how it performs. I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised at the results!

Myth 3: Social media marketing is 9 to 5. If you only plan to post on your company’s social media pages during normal work hours, you might want to rethink your strategy. Many marketers wrongly assume that their daily social media efforts can quietly close down at the end of the traditional business day. But is that how you use your own personal social media in real life? Consumers go to social media for real-time content and breaking news, so it’s crucial to have a point person, whether it be yourself or another member of your team, who is tuned in to any hot and timely industry happenings that make sense for your company to comment on at all times of the day. Try to engage with fans posting on your pages in as close to real time as possible.

Scheduling tools like TweetDeck are a valuable option for weekend posts or when traveling, but shouldn’t be an everyday solution to posting, as losing the real-time status of your page could deter followers or send them elsewhere for the pest-related content they are looking for.

THE KEY TAKEAWAY. Keep these myths and best practices in mind as you work on your next social media plan — it could make all the difference in helping you achieve your digital marketing goals in this evolving social media world. And remember the simple, time-tested concept of quality over quantity. Strive to achieve a higher quality of content to share on your pages and focus on quality fan engagement. Banish the pressure of being everywhere to reach everyone. It’s not about the quantity of fans/followers or social media platforms you’re registered on. Happy socializing!

Cindy Mannes is executive director of the Professional Pest Management Alliance and vice president of public affairs for the National Pest Management Association. She can be reached at cmannes@pestworld.org. For more information about PPMA, visit www.NPMApestworld.org/PPMA.

Coping With Confusing Label Language

Columns - Tech Talk

From time to time, we all scratch our heads while reading pesticide labels that seem to contradict themselves, or that don’t make it clear what we can or cannot do with a product. Consider these pairs of seemingly contradictory statements from labels of commonly used pesticide products. (Disclaimer: The purpose of this article is to be useful, not to bash on the valued manufacturers that supply us with the pesticides we need! Thus, these examples have been altered slightly in order NOT to disclose the identities of any products or manufacturers.)

“Do Not Use In Food Plants.”

“May Be Used In Non-Food Areas Of Food Plants.”

“Do Not Apply In Kitchens.”

“Apply Inside Of Floor Drains.”

“Do Not Apply This Product To Furniture.”

“Apply To Tufts, Folds And Around Buttons Of Upholstered Furniture.”

How is it possible that a pesticide manufacturer, which may employ an entire regulatory-compliance department staffed by lawyers, can write such double-speak? Are they trying to mislead us? Assuredly, they are not:

Many seemingly contradictory statements are the result of “boilerplate” verbiage used by more than one manufacturer and/or for multiple pesticide labels; since EPA has approved a statement once, there is a tendency to lift that exact language from one approved label and use it on another product’s label, but with conditions and qualifiers attached later in the description.

Sometimes a smaller manufacturer might have a wonderful product to offer, but does not have the wherewithal to employ a roomful of English majors and attorneys to write their labels. So, they have borrowed language they know has been approved elsewhere and will likely be approved again on their own products.

In other instances, a manufacturer might have been going back and forth with EPA for some time, trying this language and that language until the text that finally wins approval is bogged down with exceptions.

Whatever the cause of confusing labels, they can create frustration among PMPs who want to use products in a legal manner while achieving good results — but for the life of them, cannot figure out what the label says! So, what are we supposed to do?

There are several ways to respond to a difficult-to-understand label:

READ THE LABEL CAREFULLY. Maybe the confusing label language is fully explained in the next sentence or elsewhere on the label.

LET GOOD SENSE PREVAIL. Most of the time, you can figure out what the confusing language really means. For example, the product whose label directs us not to apply it to furniture — and then turns around and tells us how to apply it to furniture — is providing an exception that allows the otherwise prohibited use pattern. Go ahead and use the product, and make sure that your application record clearly shows that you followed the restrictions.

ERR ON THE SIDE OF CAUTION. Maybe we should use that product whose label instructs us not to apply it in kitchens, but allows use in floor drains in drains in areas other than kitchens.

WHEN IN DOUBT, CALL THE MANUFACTURER. Most larger pesticide suppliers have regulatory-compliance specialists who can clear up foggy label directions for you. In fact, you may be doing them a service by asking; they might amend future versions of the label to be more clear.

WHEN STILL IN DOUBT, CALL YOUR STATE’S REGULATORY AUTHORITIES. In some cases, you might want to check with someone in your state’s pesticide lead agency and get their interpretation of a fuzzy label. Write down the date of the call, the name of the person you spoke with and what he or she said. Believe it or not, state pesticide inspectors are interested in helping PMPs use pesticides properly, not in “catching us in the act” of misapplying materials.

When really, really in doubt, you could always hire some English majors — with advanced law degrees — but that may be a stretch!

The author is chief technical adviser at Plunkett’s Pest Control, Fridley, Minn., and a member of the Copesan Technical Committee. He can be reached at jbruesch@gie.net.

Copesan is an alliance of pest management companies with locations throughout North America. To learn more, visit www.copesan.com.

News & Notes

Bed Bug Supplement - Bed Bug Supplement

BedBug Central Releases Results from June Survey

LAWRENCEVILLE, N.J. — BedBug Central announced results from its June survey, and as anticipated, June brought an increase in bed bug activity in many of the regions across the United States.

BedBug Central’s Jeff White said the June findings are consistent with seasonal fluctuations with bed bug activity that have been observed since the resurgence of these pests around 2005. “It has been well documented by many different researchers and bed bug experts that bed bug activity in residential settings increases in the summer months, specifically July, August and September.”

Knowing this, BedBug Central expected to see an increase in June bed bug activity; although the Mountain Time Zone (region 5) and West coast (region 6) appear to be lagging behind with an increase in bed bug activity.

White said, “An interesting observation moving forward will be to note whether this is an anomaly in the data or this is a seasonal trend we note each year (stay tuned to next year’s survey results).”

Another interesting observation for White was that several companies based largely in hospitality were “up significantly” in June. “We find this observation interesting and the question it raises is whether or not vacation season drives bed bug activity,” he said.

As for the quarterly analysis, Regions 5 and 6 were slow all quarter compared to the rest of the U.S. The Southeast and traditional Midwest (regions 2-4) were busy most of Q2 and no slowdown appears in sight. The Northeast (region 1) had a minor slowdown in May but companies reported it being busy again in June. “We expected the busy trend to continue for regions 1-4 and will monitor regions 5 and 6 to see if the slow/flat spell stops and bed bug activity picks up for more companies located in those regions,” White said.

EPA Releases Updated Bed Bug Efficacy Guidelines

WASHINGTON, D.C. — In June, EPA announced the availability of a final test guideline, “Laboratory Product Performance Testing Methods for Bed Bug Pesticide Products; OCSPP Test Guideline 810.3900.” The guideline provides recommendations for the design and execution of laboratory studies to evaluate the performance of pesticide products intended to be effective against bed bugs.

The guidance also includes directions for data reporting. This guidance applies to products to be applied for a pesticidal purpose such as to attract, repel or kill bed bugs. It does not apply to repellent products applied to human skin, and does not apply to products exempt from Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act registration under 40 CFR 152.25.

EPA’s test guidelines are intended for use in the testing of pesticides and toxic substances and development of data for submission to the EPA. The test guidelines are organized by series number Final Test Guidelines for Pesticides and Toxic Substances.

Under FIFRA, all companies wishing to register a pesticide product for use against public health pests, such as bed bugs, must submit pesticide product performance data that demonstrate that the pesticide product works against the pests for which the product is intended.

Dini Miller Named a ‘Healthy Homes Hero’

Miller

BLACKSURBG, Va. —Dini Miller, urban pest management specialist for Virginia Cooperative Extension, was named the first “Healthy Homes Hero” by the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Augusta Free Press reported.

The award stems from HUD’s ongoing efforts to discuss ways to improve life in the HUD community during National Healthy Homes Month in June.

Miller has worked on pest control in public housing, focusing on cockroaches, bed bugs and allergens that come from pests. She is currently working on a checklist of standards for pest control contracts in HUD buildings to ensure extensive care.

Australia’s Doggett Interviewed for Podcast

SYDNEY — Stephen Doggett, director of the Department of Medical Entomology at Westmead Hospital in Sydney, Australia, was recently interviewed about bed bugs as part of the popular Australia Float Your Boat podcast.

As part of the interview Doggett previewed his forthcoming bed bug academic text Advances in the Biology and Management of Modern Bed Bugs, due for release in 2018. The book is edited by Doggett, along with entomologists Dini Miller and Chow-Yang Lee, and includes more than 50 contributors from all over the globe.